Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Students enrolled in our course are encouraged to write for the course blog, and to read and comment on posts from students at other participating universities. The blog offers students the opportunity to analyze current events through the lens of the theory and case studies they engage with through the course.

These blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

Strong Parental Guidance?: How Film Censorship in the Philippines Affects Democracy

While cinema is often dismissed as mere entertainment, censoring it poses significant threats to information accessibility and, by extension, to democracy.

Checking The Vitals Of Philippine Democracy: Symptoms Of Fatigue Or Frustration?

Are Filipinos truly experiencing democracy fatigue, or are they simply frustrated with a system
that caged their role to the ballot box?

Emerging through the cracks: The Philippine opposition at the height of the Marcos-Duterte Split

In a period of political volatility, the opposition holds the coin to flip things in their favor. Strategically positioning itself as a genuine alternative the opposition has a chance to rebuild and become a stronger political force.

Authoritarianism in Singapore: Challenging Narratives of a Benevolent British Empire

May 14, 2025 | James Madison University

Britons are feeling nostalgic for empire. In response to a 2019 YouGov survey asking Britons to indicate whether countries that were formerly colonized by Britain were...

You Can’t Sit with Us: The Practice of Democratic Gatekeeping and How It Has Saved Democracies

May 9, 2025 | Tulane University

At the 11th hour of the 2024 election many Republican politicians and members of congress took a stance against Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Through the “Republicans...

When Democracy Erodes, LGBTQ+ Rights Are the First to Suffer

May 1, 2025 | Tulane University

When democratic norms break down, the most vulnerable communities suffer first, and most deeply. In the United States, recent political shifts have exposed just how fragile civil rights can become...

The Ruling Family: How Political Dynasties Are Destroying Democracy in the Philippines

May 1, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

Same names, same problems. In every Philippine election, the same names dominate the ballots—Marcos, Duterte, Tolentino, Tulfo, Cayetano, Villar, and Revilla. Over 70% of incumbent officials come...

Politics and Populism Brazil: Increasing Polarization

May 1, 2025 | Featured, University of Memphis

Populism has played an important role in the shaping of Brazilian politics over the past century. An approach that pits "the people" against "the elite," populism thrives under conditions of...

Populist or President… ?

May 1, 2025 | University of Memphis

Populist or President… ? Donald Trump is significantly taking us backward.With the growing centralization of wealth and political influence within the...

How Modi Turned Culture into a Political Weapon

Apr 30, 2025 | Tulane University

Image of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at a BJP rally. The lotus symbol, central to the BJP’s identity, is prominently displayed on the podium. I remember sitting on the couch...

Democracy for Sale: How a Chinese National Briefly Became a Mayor in the Philippines

Apr 30, 2025 | University of the Philippines, Diliman

As Asia’s oldest democracy, the Philippines has had its share of national controversies over the years. In recent memory, very few of these incidents stand out as much as the case of Alice...

The fire from within: American Democracy is dying?

Apr 29, 2025 | University of Memphis, University of Virginia

” There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide” - James Adams. If the average empire fails at 250 years and America is 248 years old, could we say that the death of...

Enemies of the People: Matteo Salvini’s Politics of Delegitimation in Italy

Apr 29, 2025 | Tartu University

Enemies of the People: Matteo Salvini’s Politics of Delegitimation in Italy In April 2025, Matteo Salvini and his party, the far-right Lega (League), sparked outrage after posting a series of...

Robert Fico’s media law: a populist attack on public broadcasting

Apr 28, 2025 | Tartu University

Robert Fico’s media law: a populist attack on public broadcasting In April 2024, Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, oversaw the dismantling of one of the most popular media outlets...